City's preparedness for natural disasters increases, as does vulnerability

Posted: February 14, 2012 - 5:48pm

BETH AARON

Lubbock is prepared for natural disasters, but growth could leave the city open to greater destruction.

Today marks the 36th anniversary of the tornado that killed 26 Lubbock residents and caused more than $150 million in damage.

Officials believe the city is better equipped to handle emergencies such as the May 11, 1970, disaster thanks to technological advancements in communication, weather forecasting and news media.

"We're better prepared because of the technology that we have available to us," said Ken Olson, Lubbock emergency management coordinator. "However, we've grown considerably since 1970, so the potential damage area is larger than in 1970."

A-J File Photo

The May 11, 1970, tornado's swath of destruction is evident in this Lubbock neighborhood. The twister killed 26 Lubbock residents and caused more than $150 million in damage.

In 2005, about 207,852 people lived in Lubbock, according to the U.S. Census Bureau - an increase from an estimated 179,295 in 1970.

"Our preparedness has increased, but so has our vulnerability," he said.

Many of those who died in the 1970 tornado were killed because they could not escape or were not protected in their North Overton homes.

Residents can decrease their chances of injury or death in severe weather by developing a family safety plan ahead of time.

"You don't want to wait until the tornado's on you to have a plan," Olson said. "The value of a safe place is still as valuable as it was in 1970."

Lubbock's Emergency Operations System was established just months

before the 1970 storm by Bill Payne, former Emergency Management coordinator.

Victims who died in the May 11, 1970, tornado are memorialized with this monument at Broadway and Avenue Q.

Order a print

Despite some tightening and rearranging of the system, Olson said its principles have remained the same.

The aim of the disaster procedure is to protect the health, safety and welfare of Lubbock residents.

The configuration of the Emergency Operations Center is different from how it began, Olson said.

Where center employees once worked by telephone, computers sit. Where there was once one radio, six radios with field response capabilities have been added.

Department of Public Safety troopers have emergency center radios in their vehicles and in their dispatch office, Olson said. Emergency Medical Services and the Lubbock Independent School District also are linked into the radio system.

In 1970, Lubbock did not have a backup emergency operations center; today, a separate location exists.

Advancements in weather forecasting and storm tracking have created more public awareness about severe weather.

"Without a doubt we are more prepared now ... when it comes to receiving information," said Brian LaMarre, warning coordination meteorologist for the National Weather Service. "Since then we've just been getting better in terms of understanding how these thunderstorms develop."